Assignment Photography and Syndication

Gallerist

Categories

This entire site ⓒ 2005-2011 The Sartorialist.
All of the photographs herein, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by the photographer. No part of this site, or any of the content contained herein, may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without express permission of the copyright holder(s).

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Luciano Barbera Preview Fall 2006

So I go to Barbera today for a preview and see Michal Sestak (above) who heads up the showroom in New York. In my day I was pretty good in the showroom but I have nothing on Michal. You don't feel like Michal is ever "selling" you, his secret is how he involves you in the sale. I'm not really sample size but when he hands me a doubleface cashmere sportcoat he says in his Italianish accent "try on the jacket, enjoy the moment". When he talks about the most expensive item in the collection, a cashmere overcoat, he says you buy it "no shame, no regrets". Damn, why couldn't I think of those things to say during an appointment. The best I could ever come up with was,,,"it goes nice with jeans".

A request of sorts, if you have any more images I'd love to see them. I am having a bit of a Barbera obsession these days. I think it is such a shame that they aren't more represented here in the US...

Barbera might not be as visual as say Etro but the fabrics are incredible. The bottom jacket is cashmere double-face, I tried it on and it feels like your wearing a cardigan. The only thing holding Barbera back from being huge in the US is unexciting marketing. Luciano Barbera the person is sooo cool and seems like such a character, they need to build on his personality more.

Part of the problem with Barbera is how it is bought. The line is so often put together to highlight the "old man"/country gent look, which doesn't thrill me. However when it is bought to highlight the modern elements it just can't be beat.

Very similar to Kiton and Borrelli clothing. Kiton at Saks is nothing like Kiton at Scott Hill.

Ha! It is too true though. I have often wondered, given all the capitol and access the Barbera family has why they haven't established a US retail operation. I'm around, all they have to do is call and I'm on the team :-)

Anonymous said ... (9:38 PM) :

enjoy it while it last's they will be out of business before september.... unless loro piana buys the label and infuses it with some cash..... you heard it here first!

Anonymous said ... (7:45 PM) :

Hi sartorialist!

Am curious if a pean such as myself can get an appointment at the Barbera showroom? I would love to get my fiance a gift...

Love your blog!

_valery

Anonymous said ... (11:57 AM) :

I tried on some Barbera recently. I am used to Oxxford. Is Barbera generally tighter? Where should the middle button on a three button jacket fit? Also, where should the bottom of the jacket fit. It is a little different than I am used to - but wonderful fabric. I am thinking of several purchases.